That's always been the most dangerous paradigm for the Democratic Party.

Rightly or wrongly:

1. Eisenhower crushed Stevenson twice (442 to 89 and 457 to 73) partly on that basis.

2. Nixon crushed McGovern (520 to 17) partly on that basis.

3. Reagan crushed Carter (489 to 49) partly on that basis.

4. Reagan crushed Mondale (525 to 13) partly on that basis.

5. Bush ran against Gore partly on that basis.

6. Bush defeated Kerry partly on that basis.

and

6. McCain will very likely defeat and may even crush Obama partly on that basis if Obama is nominated.

Republicans have been very successful running against Democrats they can paint as effete, intellectual, snobbish, or, worst of all (for the Democratic Party) "effete intellectual snobs".

Which is precisely why the Democratic Party must not nominate Obama if they intend to win the Presidency in 2008. Despite the deep love and respect his high-minded image engenders amongst his most fervent supporters, it is becoming easier to see how he can be branded as possessing the very traits that have contributed to so many depressing November defeats for Democratic Party candidates.

No matter how we choose our nominees, the Democratic Party attracts a far higher percentage of academic types amongst its political activists and political junkies than exists in the country at large. That's a major part of the reason Obama is doing so well in caucuses and university towns this year, and that's also why we so often end up nominating a relatively cerebral candidate who does not come across to the average voter as their idea of a true warrior/leader.

The 2008 general election is going to be difficult, first because John McCain does fit the conventional strong patriotic image, even though he seems far too old to be taken seriously by young Democrats and anti-war intellectuals. It's going to be difficult also because we are about to nominate either a (relative to McCain) much younger intellectual with certain effete characteristics that even some of his supporters now admit, or a strong and assertive woman whose impressive and long-standing progressive credentials will surely bring out the worst from the right wing noise machine.

UPDATE (4/12/08): Several new diaries now speak to the issue of Senator Obama's snob factor:

http://americaninitaly.blogspot.com/2008/04/obama-is-snob.html

http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/4/11/235425/329

http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/4/11/171910/689#387

http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/4/12/14220/9629#83

The Saving Grace - "A fighter, a doer, and a champion for the American people."

The saving grace though, is that more and more ordinary Americans are coming to realize that Hillary will always fight for them, and that even though she may occasionally make a serious mistake or suffer a serious setback, she will always get back up, make any necessary correction, and continue in the style of a true champion for our most cherished values.